Family Reunion 2011

Over Labor Day weekend my mom and I went to Oregon for a family reunion. We made the decision to fly instead of drive this time, which was OK for me, I hate driving to Oregon. To drive would take us about 2 days; flying would take us two hours with a two hour drive to my Uncle Joe's house. We left on Friday and when we got into Portland we met my Cousin Casey and his family for lunch and we drove to my Uncles house together. The main family event took place on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday only a little family showed up and I spent the day catching up with them. I was able to get some good pictures with my Aunt and Uncles Saturday and Sunday. Saturday for me was the most fun. Sunday more people showed but mostly it was from my Uncle Benny's side. Unfortunately, some family members were not able to make it but there was still approx 70 people there on Sunday, so I was able to hear some stories about my Grandma. I was only 6 when she died so I don't have many memories of her. It was this day we took family pictures and I got some great ones. It will be picture overload on this post. I am going to try to name people and if I don't spell your names right please forgive me, I'm only 14 and a half lol!! (inside joke). I had such an amazing time and it was so nice to spend some time with my family, I didn't want to leave. I wish I was closer to them so that I could see them more often. I miss them so much.

Saturday's Pictures:

My Aunt Jenny

My Uncle Joe

My Uncle Chris My Cousin CaseyMy Cousin Kim

My 2nd Cousin SamanthaTook some pictures of flowers:They all had fun in the poolThe night ended with Guitar Hero. Yeah Buddy!!Sunday Family Pictures:

My Uncle BennyMy Uncle PhilMy 2nd Cousin MatthewI couldn't resist holding my 3rd cousin Oliver. Such a cutie pie Uncle Benny, Aunt Leslie and their kids Kathy, Becky and BenUncle Pat, Aunt Jenny and their kids Tim and KimUncle Phil and his kids Casey and Phil JrCousin Ben and his kids Corey, Trista, Christha and MariahCousin Kathy and her kids Athena, Ebony and KyraMy Cousin Tim, his wife Marilyn and their kids Ashley and DonnieCousin Kim and her kids Chase and TeshaTesha and her kids Cecelia and OliverCousin Casey, his wife Mary and their kids Matthew and Samantha Uncle Benny's side. So not attempting this The First CousinsMy Uncle Joe's house where my mom and I stayed

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2"

Some spoilers from the movie, if you don't want to know don't read this entry. You've been warned. Last night I went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2 with Kimberly, her friends and her brothers. I got to the theater around 6:30 p.m and saw that the group was near the front of the line and came to find out that someone had been since 8 in the morning. I thought that was really cool :) We spent the rest of the night talking and playing games and I really enjoyed getting to know all of Kimberly's friends. It felt like time was moving by so slowly, but at 11:10 they started letting us in and we were able to get some great seats. Finally, the movie started and it was so awesome. The movie had a perfect mixture of humor, suspense, and action. Throughout the whole movie was a build up of tension to the scene I had been waiting for: the final battle between Harry and Voldemort. I had so many favorite scenes in this movie. When Harry, Hermione, and Ron escape from the bank flying on a dragon. Finally Ron and Hermione kiss it was so cute, it was one of the scenes that I had been waiting for. I was looking forward to the scene with Snape when he tells Harry that he has been in love with Harry's mother this whole time and and that he was protecting Harry. It was this scene that Harry learned that he had to die in order to defeat Voldemort. I cried when Harry went off into the forest to die. But as we all know he didn't; he had to 'die' to kill the part of Voldemort's soul that lived inside him. The final battle at Hogwarts was just amazing and nothing was held back; I must admit that I was sad to see most of my favorite characters die. The final standoff between Harry and Voldemort, which led to Voldemort's demise was amazing. The performances from the cast were the best I had ever seen. The main three Dan, Rupert, and Emma gave amazing performances. Along with Maggie Smith (McGanagall), Alan Rickman (Snape), Matt Lewis (Neville) I can go on and on. Everyone was so awesome in this movie. I am sad that the Harry Potter movies are over, I have really enjoyed watching them. Harry Potter is a book series worth introducing to my children and I hope they love the books as much as I did.

Another Family Visit

For the past week we have had some company. Carlos, Karla, Jacky(now 6) and Alexandra(now 2) came again for a visit, this time it was for Samantha's Quincenanera. They stayed with us for a week, they were hoping that they would be able to stay longer but Jacky had to get back for school. Karla and the girls came in a few weeks ago on Thursday and made their way to our house on Monday (Memorial Day) They stayed with her dad for the weekend and they took the girl's to Disneyland. The girls had a good time and Alexandra was able to enjoy it more since she is older. The week they stayed with us, Karla went out shopping for a dress for her and shoes for the girls. Karla found a really pretty dress and we color coordinated, we swear we did not plan it :) Playing with the girls was fun and they warmed up to me pretty fast. I was able to communicate with the girls more easily, but for the most part either mom or grandma was able to translate. Carlos got in Friday night before the party and only stayed for a day because he had to be back for work. They went shopping again this time for clothes for the girls and we even managed to go out to dinner yesterday before Karla and the girls left. They left early this morning and it was so nice having them here. I was not able to get as many pictures as I did last time. So here are some that I was able to get:

I did laundry and she climbed in the basket. She's such a ham :) Jacky in her dress... and Alex in her'sSamantha in her pretty dress.Sammie's cake. Um.....Cake!!! Me and JackyMe and AlexMe and KarlaCarlos with his girls

San Diego Safari Park

My mom and I went to Murrieta for a few days to visit on of my mom's friends earlier this week. While we were there we went to the San Diego Safari Park in Escondido. I have always been in love with wild animals and it was so great to see them up close. When we got there I did not know what to expect. To get a feel for the lay out of the park we went on the tram that took us around their African Exhibits. We saw so many great animals, but my favorites would have to be the Rhinos and the Giraffes. Here are some good pictures from the ride on the tram:

After we got off the tram we walked around some more, making our way over to the Cheetahs. While we were there we caught the Cheetah Tails show. A trainer brought out a cheetah to a small grass area on a leech without any barriers. The trainer would walk around with the Cheetah so we could get a better look at him while we learned some information about Cheetahs. It was so cool to be only 5 feet away from the Cheetah. I wanted so badly to reach out and pet him. We were told before the show started that we were not allowed to reach out because it would make the Cheetah uncomfortable. But, being 5 feet away was good enough for me. It was such an awesome experience and my favorite moments of the day.

While we walked around I got some pictures of flowers

Such well trained animals. I would love to do something like this

They brought out the dog too. The cheetah and dog grew up together and do everything together except eat. The dog helps keep the cheetah calm.
This is how close I was, no zoom needed for this picture

My mom's friend Phyllis wanted to do the Flightline Safari. While we waited for her my mom and I saw the bird show. The show was really good and I was amazed at all the pretty birds. After the show we went and looked at the Gorillas. They were fun to watch.

Some great views of the Giraffes

After meeting up with Phyllis we decided that we have had enough and we started heading towards the exit. Before we left we went to see the Elephants. I had such a good time I was so amazed at everything I saw and experienced. Sorry for only posting pictures of only five animals, the tigers were not in their area and the lion exhibit was being redone.

It had rained the morning after so I got this good shot of one of Phyllis' flowers.

Easter

My mom and I had a great Easter filled with fun and family as we always have had. I woke up to some of my favorite candy: dove dark chocolate eggs and recces peanut butter chocolate eggs and bunny yum!! My mom wanted to keep it festive she hid some of the dove eggs and the peanut butter eggs. After I had found everything I immediately ate the recces eggs and some of the dove eggs, yep that's right CANDY FOR BREAKFAST!!!! The breakfast of champions. In the afternoon we headed over to Rose and Lyle's house for dinner. We join them and their family for Easter, 4th of July, and Thanksgiving for the past four years every since my dad passed away. They had a great dinner, we had roast beef and ham sandwiches with all the trimmings. I was so good, I was really hungry. We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and playing some games. We decided to head home early as people were leaving too. I really enjoy spending time with my new extended family. They are such fun and great people and I am grateful that they welcomed us into their family.