THE CANTAFIO MOB

Soccer

2012-01-22T10:11:00.000-08:00

So, we have officially become a soccer family and I, an official soccer mom. The boys are obsessed and cannot get enough. Jaden is playing All Stars and Luke has been spotted by the club teams and is training with them to eventually be pulled on a U9 team.

We had bought season tickets to the LA Galaxy over the summer and just made a quick trip to the stadium on Friday to confirm our seats. They took us in the press room and Luke turned to me and said "I am going to be up there someday". I don't doubt that for a minute little guy. After leaving the stadium, we stopped to watch some of the U14 boys from the Galaxy Academy. Of course, Tony got a head start and when I walked over to him he said to me, "I would like you to meet David Beckham". This tall guy with a cap on reached out, shook my hand and greeted me. It was all I could do to keep from peeing my pants. He is my favorite soccer player, I take that back, my favorite athlete. Becks is amazing!!

The boys were waiting for me to rush him and give him a hug, but I did control myself. We stood next to him and watched his son play in a scrimmage for about 45 minutes. He signed a couple of hats and we said our goodbyes. Maybe we will get invited to the next Beckham family bbq.

Tiger

2011-10-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been a long time since I have wandered onto this blog. Things are busy and we are all doing great. I just had to post a picture I got last week. Tiger Woods was hosting a putting challenge in the middle of Hollywood so I jumped on the chance to see him. I pulled the boys from school and away we went to crazy land (Hollywood) and waited anxiously along the metal barricades. We had front row seats and Jaden and Luke were in awe when Tiger came out and stood right in front of them.

It is one thing to see the greatest golfer ever on TV, but they were able to see him in the flesh, up close and personal. Luke kept waving and yelling "Hello Tiger Woods, I like

you". It must have caught his eye, because right after the shot below was taken of him tossing the ball, he locked eyes with Luke, approached him and handed him the ball. I thought Luke was going to wet himself.

It was a great day. He really is an amazing athlete. (and he has the most amazing teeth)

Happy Birthday Mom

2011-06-28T08:54:00.001-07:00

Today is Grandma Saundra's birthday. I can't believe she has been gone for more than three years now. In some ways, time has healed, and the pain of missing her has eased. Then again, there are those moments that catch you off guard, take your breath, and you start to cry out of nowhere. I miss my best friend and still catch myself wanting to give her a call. We all wish you were here and just want to say happy birthday. Love you tons - you are the best.

Rock Star - Luke Star

2011-06-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

So things have been busy as usual. School is out and Luke graduated from Kindergarten and Dylan from his first year of preschool. Jaden flew threw 3rd grade and is on his way to the big 4th. I am so glad summer is here- sleeping in, staying up late, movie nights and all that.

The castings are still in full swing and Luke booked his first commercial. He shot for Mattel Toy Story yesterday and had a blast. The ad will run in September and will show Luke and another little boy playing with a Toy Story dump truck. Quite the process - they worked a solid 8 hours and did amazing. Keep your eye for Luke Star in September.

I am off to try and keep the boys busy today.

Catching Up

2011-05-13T09:58:00.001-07:00

OK - so it has been over a month since I posted anything. I missed Easter and Dylan's 4th birthday. Such a bad blogger. We have been so busy that there are days that go by and at the end I cannot even remember what I did that very morning.

We had a wonderful Easter and decided to get out of dodge for the day. We scored tickets to Pelican Hill's egg hunt and brunch and took the boys for some great food. I cannot remember the last time I ate that much. My boys were all dressed up - a pretty big feat since my boys think that when you wear a tie or go to church it is for a funeral. So sad that there have been that many funerals in their short little lives.

Dylan's 4th birthday came and went with a trip to Disneyland for the day. We woke up and I did not have time to make a cake, so he got a Twinkie with candles and some yogurt on the side. He loves school and is now doing Tae Kwon Do and will start soccer in the fall. He loves "his boys" and just wants to hang out with his brothers.

We hung low on Mother's Day, just taking the dogs to the dog park and joining in a quick pick up game of soccer with the boys. Some mexican food with chips and dip later it the day and all was good. I thought of Mom alot and wished she was here to see the boys. She would have so much fun with them in all their antics. Some days I feel robbed that they just don't get to have that Grandma Saundra fix every few weeks when she would come for a hair cut. We are adjusting to life without her, but there is definitely a huge void.

The school year is winding down and I am looking forward to summer with the boys. I am going to make an effort to get out and see some more of LA while we have the chance. We will keep you updated on our adventures.

Happy 9th

2011-04-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am a little late with this post. It is true, my eldest has turned 9! I cannot believe Jaden is that old now. It seems like yesterday when he would tell us about "cat pith" in the garage and jump in front of old people with walkers and yell "I blocka your way".

Jaden is a funny kid. He has this sense of humor that sometimes comes out of nowhere and knocks you on your butt with a funny one liner. Then there are those moments when he can make up the silliest joke and all he gets for a response is crickets.

He amazes me at how athletic he is. Everything seems to come easy for him, not only in sports but in school too. He has the highest math scores in the 3rd and 4 grades and has been benchmarked at end of 5th grade level. He is super fast and is really hard on himself if he does not win every game, whether it be in golf, basketball, football or even Tae Kwon Do.

He reminds me so much of Grandpa Doug at times. His very analytical way of thinking, his math mind and his sometimes pessimistic attitude. He is such a handsome boy and I am so proud to have him in my life. We love you Jaden - Happy B-Day!

We Are Still Here

2011-04-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

I have disappeared from the blogging world for a while. Things have been amazingly insane and busy. The boys are keeping busy with all their sports, castings, photo shoots, Tae Kwon Do and golfing. I think I have bitten off a little more than I can chew, but I really can't decide what to cut back on. Anyway, the boys are happy and as long as I keep them on the go, my house will remain standing.

We had a visit from Grandpa Doug and he caddied for Luke in his first tournament. He had a blast, and even though he went to the beach a couple of times (stuck in the sand traps) his attitude is always happy go lucky. Jaden is still pounding the course and doing well. Dylan just tags along and swings the golf club like a Louisville Slugger. He definitely needs to play a different sport.

Work is keeping me busy and I have been importing and exporting on a regular basis. The dogs are the best and Tucker has now officially caught up to Sophie in size (26 inches at the shoulder and 70 pounds) They lie around like big rugs and keep an eye on the house.

Jaden turned 9 this week. I cannot believe I have a 9 year old. He loves sports, especially basketball, and will wake up every morning to watch ESPN and review the games and stats. Does that remind you of anyone? (you know who I am talking about Grandpa Doug).

Luke has been busy with the photo shoots, booking 4 jobs in one week. We were lucky enough to book a mother/son shoot and so I got to feel like a supermodel for a couple of days. It was great money and we had a lot of fun. Keep an eye for Luke in the June/July issue of family fun magazine this summer. Dylan booked Hannah Anderson and is shooting their catalog/internet line this week. They used him one day and he did so well they have asked him back for two more shoots. He was even on KTLA in Los Angeles yesterday morning modeling Lazoo clothes which are sold in Babies R Us. He tells everyone he is a "movie star" and has jobs. He is growing up so fast and is a bundle of crazy energy.

Things are good and busy. Some days I wish it would slow down a bit, but then I would probably get bored and want things fast again. I just need to hold on to my hat and go along for the ride.

This Is What I Do

2011-02-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

So, most everyone knows that I have a job. Most people look at me funny and perplexed when I tell them I ship horses in airplanes. You can see the gears grinding wondering how they get those big animals in the baggage compartment. Well, they don't ship in the baggage area, but instead on big 747's in large stalls designed for the air. My kids have grown up around it knowing that work meant heading to the airport or some random farm to check on horses.

Yesterday, I accomplished something I have not done in all the 13 years of doing this. I exported 15 horses from Los Angeles to Dubai. 15 lovely Arabians and mares heavy with babies in their bellies were loaded on an aircraft and headed to their new home in the desert. It has been stressful, but so worth it when yesterday I looked around while loading and realized this was all my doing.

It all started a month ago when the horses came from Scottsdale, AZ to a nearby farm to serve the export isolation (USDA approved quarantine). During this month I have dealt with cuts needing sutures, snotty noses, pregnancy checks and feet trimming. The health certificates we had to issue were like novels, consisting of 12 pages per horse.

Yesterday, we loaded the group up at the farm and headed to LAX for the outbound flight. There were three trailers, myself and the USDA in tow monitoring the shipment. Once at the airport, we prepped the containers and started transferring horses, until one stall after the other filled with horses. It is nerve wracking and yet satisfying to see this all happen. You get attached to the horses and worry about their well being and you don't sleep until they make it to their final destination.Once the loading was complete, they pull the stalls with the tugs to the aircraft, load them up and away they go. I finally got some sleep last night.

Tag, Your It

2011-01-26T09:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I had taken Luke up to LA for a commercial audition and I get a call from the sitter on my way home. "Did you know there was graffiti on your house?" was all she said. I came home to this lovely artwork on the side of our house. All I can say is that there were a few expletives that leapt from my mouth, luckily without the boys around.

It makes you feel so violated when your personal property is tagged by a bunch of stupid idiots that have nothing better to do. It happened between 4-5 pm in broad daylight. Luckily, the sitter had taken the other boys to the golf course for an hour and it happened while they were gone. The dogs were in the backyard and must have gone crazy - I was hoping the perpetrators would hop in the backyard so Sophie could eat them. She can be pretty intimidating when need be.

We had the police here taking pictures and they feel there is a good chance they may catch the worthless buggers. Anyway, tag, we are it - I don't want to play anymore.

LukeStar Turns 6

2011-01-18T09:58:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that my adorable middle child is now six. He is such a character - loves to dance, tell jokes, makes loud unexpected noises but yet can sit and do Legos for hours if no one bothers him. He is our creative, left hander that enjoys coloring and also learning to do an ollie on the skateboard.

He has been so excited about turning six and he asked for one thing - an Ipod. I took him to Target and he got to pick out a shuffle and he is out of his mind excited. We sent him to school with his birthday goody bags for his friends and we will get some yummy cupcakes for tonight.

Happy Birthday Luke Star!!

Hollywood Boys

2011-01-12T10:56:00.000-08:00

These boys are keeping me busy. After signing all three with Ford Models, I sometimes wonder "what have I done?". We usually will head out to 2-3 castings a week between all the boys. There was one week where Luke went on 6 castings just for himself. You have to decide if heading up to Hollywood is worth the chance that they may book the job, then there are callbacks and the golden ticket, booking the job itself.

Well, all the running around has paid off, especially for Luke. He just booked and did a photo shoot for Samsumg TV monitors on Monday and this weekend we head to Santa Barbara to do the shoot for Pottery Barn Kids summer. Dylan will be in Target stores nationwide in the spring in the shoe department for Converse and Jaden will be in an International Nivea ad in May. They are getting a bit of money in their trust accounts and they seem to be enjoying it. Luke has really come out of his shell and is the life of the party at the photo shoots as is Dylan. They are little professionals and the photographers enjoy working with them as they take direction well - nothing like at home.

Jaden went to commercial auditions yesterday for Honda and Bandai toys - he had to run lines and do a bit of acting. I think he did great, but I am a little biased toward all my boys.

Christmas in Cali

2011-01-02T16:36:00.000-08:00

To say the least, the month of December has been quite the ride. Now that the kitchen is done, I am amazed at how many people we have had over to congregate for many reasons. Birthdays, bunco, funerals, Christmas Eve. I do have to say that I am glad the whirlwind is over, but I hate the thought of putting up the holiday decorations.

Tony and I had told each other we were not going to exchange gifts. We really didn't need anything so all was good. The morning of the 24th, the doorbell rang and there was some guy there telling me he had a refrigerator to install. I told him I had not bought a fridge and tried to turn him away. After thinking for a minute, I grabbed the phone and called Tony. I asked him "did you buy a fridge?" and he calmly replied "Yes, Merry Christmas". So needless to say, I now have the most beautiful 48" monster of a Sub Zero fridge in the kitchen. I could easily fit all three boys in it and possibly one or both of the dogs. It even has self closing drawers for the fruit - I am in fridge heaven.

Christmas morning blew threw like a hurricane and the boys had a blast. Jaden and Luke got their Nintendo DSi, new scooters, helmets and Dylan got a new bike and a gun to shoot deer and birds - don't even ask about that one. I still torture the boys and make them wear matching PJ's. I figure I have maybe another year or two before they tell me where to put the PJ's. The family got an X Box kinect and Tony and I played Dance Central by ourselves after the kids went to bed. Needless to say, we are not going to win any awards anytime soon.

The New Year came and went and the picture of the dogs sums up how I am feeling now it is all over. The kids are back in school and I am recovering from a bad cold/flu bug that turned into pneumonia. I am slowly on the mend and just working like a madwoman shipping horses to the United Arab Emirates (a total of 18 in all). Things are great and the boys are keeping me extremely busy and I am including my biggest boy, Tony in that group. Hope you all have the best New Year ever. I have no resolutions other than to survive and maybe do something creative and memorable in 2011.

Mixed Feelings

2010-12-18T14:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas this year has brought a lot of mixed feelings for me. I have always loved Christmas - the trees, lights, wrapping paper. I have always looked forward to Christmas morning with the kids and seeing their excited faces when they see what Santa has brought for them. A lot of this I got from my mother. She always made the holidays a magic time and I admit since she has passed, I have been a bit of a Scrooge.

I do find that I love to shop for people and try to find them that one special gift that will bring a smile to their face. I see the Santa collection that my mom helped me collect over the years and it brings back memories of her. For Grandma Hazel teaching me how to put lights on the tree so not one cord shows and it sparkles like the Chrysler building. Each ornament with it's own story, most with a date listed on the bottom in mom's handwriting, and the tradition of Edward the Elf, keeping the kids in line by telling them he reports back to Santa on a regular basis.

My mixed feelings are only a few. I feel badly that my boys feel a bit entitled at such a young age. They ask for big, expensive things like Nintendo DS's, motor scooters and such. Obviously, I want to please, but it is sometimes hard to justify some of their requests. I also am feeling so badly for Tony. This will be his first Christmas without his dad, and my 3rd with my mom. He is really struggling with all of this, and I don't think he really wants to deal with the festivities at this point. I seem to find that I need to get out and try to find some enjoyment or I might be swallowed up by despair if I let it come around.

So, this season, I hope to find some peace with all of the turmoil. To be able to tuck my kids in on Christmas Eve and trust they will be happy come the morning no matter what Santa brings them. To know that the pain of losing Angelo will get easier as time goes by, but right now it is a fresh wound for Tony - one that with holidays feels like we are all pooring salt into because we are trying to deal with things in our own way. My boys do not understand his passing, so I just answer questions when they have them and try to stay positive for all of them.

We did get a family photo on the day of the funeral, but I just could not put this on our Christmas cards. I did not feel that it would be appropriate to send that photo out, knowing why we were all dressed up and had someone else to snap a photo for us. So when you get our cards this year, the photo you see here is not the one I used. The picture of the sky was what it looked like the night I left to go to the viewing for my father-in-law. I really feel he was all around, like his name entails, Arcangelo (arch angel).

Don't worry, I am going to enjoy the holidays because this is really "the most wonderful time of the year". I just hope I can handle my boys for the two weeks that they have off of school.

Grandpa Angelo

2010-12-08T08:14:00.001-08:00

This morning, around 4:30am, we lost Tony's dad after a long battle with cancer. He had taken a turn for the worse over the weekend and ended up in the hospital. He passed away peacefully this morning, his wife Maria by his side.

We knew this day was coming, but it is still a very sad day in our house. Tony was very close with his dad and is was actually just the two of them in Italy after his parents divorced. He loved his dad, and called him "zucchini" in Italian every time he saw him. His dad always was dressed to a "T" with slacks, a pressed shirt and beautiful Italian shoes. He had the most gorgeous hair with soft curls that he combed backward - a classic Italian man with a classic Italian name, Arcangelo Cantafio.

We will miss you.

What the #&@!!&!!

2010-11-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

So, I come home yesterday after picking the kids up from school and this is what awaited us from across the street. Our neighbors must have been drinking heavily for the past week, because no one in their right mind would have picked that color.

At first, I hoped it was the primer coat, but I asked the painters working on the house and they confirmed it was the final color. These neighbors are quiet, no kids and they are never outside. I think they are from Israel. I am starting to think they are from another planet at this point and possibly color blind. The house is really hideous in the early morning light, a nice neon purple with the dark blue/purple trim - gag!!!

It is really disappointing after spending so much time and money on your house to make it look nice and the neighbor can paint their house this awful color. Well, there goes the home values on our street. All of us are just shaking our heads wondering what in the hell they were thinking.

Happy Halloween

2010-11-01T14:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I am a bit relieved that Halloween has come and gone. Don't get me wrong, I love the whole decorating the house with spiders and webs and getting the kids decked out in the outfit of their choice, but I HATE the candy arguments. Dylan is a master of climbing the cabinets and sneaking 10 Tootsie rolls before breakfast and then being too full to eat. Luke just cries if he can't have "just one more" and Jaden just sneaks them, but not very well, as I find his wrappers strewn through the house.

The boys picked their costumes this year. I love Dylan as "Sankenstein" as he calls it and Luke was a silver, shiny knight. Don't even ask about Jaden. I asked him what he wanted to be and he said "a cheerleader". I found the ugliest costume at Target on clearance and then put a red wig on him. He actually makes for a pretty cute girl and he went by the name of "Madison" for Halloween night. Tony was a bit worried, but I told him Jaden is nothing but all boy, just a phase. His eyes still had some eyeliner left over from the photo shoot the day before so he really looked the part. He says that skirts are much easier to put on than pants. When should I worry? Happy Halloween and away I go to throw away all that awful candy so I won't eat it all.

Who Is This Kid?

2010-10-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

That is all I can think of when I look at this picture of Jaden. To get to how this picture came about, I have to start with the Nivea shoot he went to on Saturday. So we show up "on set" at 10:30am Saturday morning at Siren Studios in Hollywood. It was cool out, and we ended up on the rooftop studio. You would come out of the elevator and see all the set, with the lights, canopies to control light, the cameras, etc. We walked in and met the producer and then the photographer. They took Jaden into make-up and hair which consisted of putting lotion on his face and arms and pinching his cheeks a bit for a little flush of color. They put him in a simple white tee and took him on set with two other kids. From there it was amazing. They took close up shots of these three kids, just to show off all their amazing features. The photographer kept telling me how Jaden's eyes were amazing - I kept back in the distance looking at the set, with the view of the Hollywood sign in the background above them.

I would have loved to have taken photos, but it is strictly prohibited and you are told not to take pictures. Once the kids were done with the Nivea shoot, the photographer wanted to have a little fun with them. He let the makeup artists do what they do best and they did the kids up as the Joker, Lady Gaga and a zombie from Michael Jackson's Thriller. He then took the kids on set and took the most amazing pictures. These were the only two I got, but how awesome that we got any at all. The photographer told Jaden he may see the one of him in a museum some day. We hung around for an hour after they were done shooting and had lunch with the staff. What an amazing experience for Jaden - I think he likes this modeling stuff. (sorry the pics are not that great - had to take a picture of a picture and they did not come out that great, but you get the jist)

What Have I Done?

2010-10-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

I am starting to ask myself that on a daily basis. "What in the world have I done?". Since signing the boys with Ford two weeks ago I have been on 10 or 12 castings, to be honest, I am losing track and my mind. They are doing awesome and actually Jaden and Luke have booked jobs. Jaden will be in a Nivea ad that they shoot this weekend and Luke booked Arbonne. I have to say, it is exciting and the boys are enjoying it. They both just want to make the "big bucks" as they say and buy an X-box. (too bad all the money goes into their college fund)

They are still so naive about the whole thing and just love going and getting their picture taken. Jaden received a casting call for a Celine Dion video - I told him about it and he looked at me with a wrinkled nose and said "who is Celine Dion?" Gotta love it.

Dylan gets mad when the other boys have castings and cries and says "when do I get to go to work?". Child labor? He doesn't think so. Break a leg boys!

Supermodel, Work!!

2010-10-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

Since we live in the land of TV and movies, we had gotten Dylan involved with Ford Models to go out on casting calls and shoots. Well, Ford saw a picture of the other boys and signed them this week. I now have a house full of miniature models that keep asking me "when are we going to make the big bucks?" Seriously, where did they learn that?

Jaden has decided he will be an actor and a golf pro in order to buy a big boat, Luke just wants to buy toys, and Dylan just says "do I go to work today?". They seem eager to do this, so we will see how they are when they get their first booking. Keep your eyes out in those magazine. We are just hoping that the boys do a bit of work to add to their college fund. Might as well, since we live in the heart of it all.

Friday Night Lights Are Back

2010-10-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Well, we have started yet again another season of Friday Night Lights flag football. The kids love it and have the best time. Jaden is super competetive and gets frustrated because his team cannot win a game to save their life. Luke's team is undefeated and he has scored at least one toughdown each game. It is surprising how heated a Kindergarten game can get - I get a bit wound up and cheer super loud, pushing Luke down the sideline when he gets the ball.

Even Dylan is getting into the groove in a junior pee wee flag football class once a week. He thinks he is one of the big boys and keeps asking when he will win his game.

Jaden is on the Stanford Cardinals and Luke is on the Indianopolis Colts. It gives us something to do as a family every Friday night and you get to see so many other families that you know out on the fields.

Matching

2010-09-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

So, I finally got a picture up of our range that matches Aunt De's. It is a dream to cook on - I swear it sings when you turn it on. The kitchen is nearly complete except for the backsplash. The boys and I decided to draw our own, hence the "Cantafio" written on the wall. Soon enough we will cover it with tile.

Hot, Hot, Hot

2010-09-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

112 degrees. Yes, that is right, we hit 112 degrees yesterday in lovely Long Beach. I could not believe it. The teachers in school actually brought popsicles and spoiled the kids after recess to keep them cooled off. Today it is supposed to drop about 20 degrees so we will only be at a sweltering 92. Get your fans out.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2010-09-09T07:47:00.001-07:00

Ok - is that bad to say that I am so excited that school has started? The past couple of weeks, the boys have become restless and getting bored with their days at home. We had an exceptional first day of school. Jaden strolled into his 3rd grade class like a pro and Luke walked in like he owned the joint. He turned with a wave and away he went - no tears, just pure joy to be a big boy at Kindergarten.

I thought I would tear up a bit when I saw Luke walk off, but I was so excited for him and his new adventures. He was so ready to go to Kindergarten. He has the same teacher that Jaden had and he was really comfortable. He told me after school "I was the best kid. Everyone else cried, but not me" - "one kid said a bad word". I love the stories that these little guys have. Today was not that smooth and there were some tears shed. I think he worries that no one will be there to pick him up when school is over. Hopefully the day will go well and I will see a big smile on his face this afternoon.

Jaden has a great class with a lot of kids that were together in Kindergarten. I play Bunco once a month with their moms so we all know each other and the kids all get along. This little school really is a great spot and I am so glad my boys will be there through 8th grade.

I have two down and one to go. Dylan starts preschool two days a week next Tuesday. I am not quite sure what I am going to do with myself - probably take a nap that first day. I am sure that I will be getting some phone calls from preschool - Dylan has started cursing like a sailor and I am just waiting to see what flies out of his mouth at school - heaven help us. My boys are getting so big and time is flying by. It is exciting to see them grow and learn, but some days I just wish they would stay this size but without the attitudes. Like I said, it's the most wonderful time of the year.

Utah!!

2010-08-18T10:35:00.001-07:00

I figure it was about time that I get some pictures posted of our trip to Utah. What a great time we had. The boys were a bit out of sorts with all the space they had to roam at Grandpa's - they could not believe I told them to go out and play in the pasture. Grandpa had the guts to teach them to shoot a 22 rifle - I about had a panic attack during that episode but we made it through.

We spent a couple of days with Dad then I headed up to Aunt DeAnn's for some pool time. Her house is amazing and the boys had a blast swimming, hiking and tubing down the canal in her backyard - the water was so cold it made your feet ache. They played Legos with Chase and Land, stared down squirrels and did some amazing tricks off the diving board.

We went to the Stephen's family reunion on Saturday and got to catch up with all the cousins. Michael and Ralph had their team of Haflinger ponies hitched up to a wagon and took everyone for rides around Henefer. I did not recognize half the people there, and it was strange yet comforting to see Mom in all her sister's faces.

Tony flew out that night and we spent a couple of days lounging around and visiting with Grandpa Edison. On Monday, we loaded up and headed to East Fork for the best day of fishing I think we have ever had up there. That is the most beautiful place on earth. I swear, if I ever win the lottery, I am buying East Fork and keeping it just like it is forever. We caught our limit in fish and on the way down the hill, we were blocked by a huge Aspen tree that had blocked the road. After an hour of pushing and pulling with the truck, we finally got past it and headed back to Dad's with our spoils for a huge fish fry (or barbecue). I loved that I was able to share with my kids that wonderful place - all the memories of mom and dad packing up the truck, Hey Dey bars and licorice on hand, and spending long days roaming the bear corn at Blue Lake and picking flowers in Blue Bell Flats. What a day!

All in all, it was an amazing trip. I miss Utah and all my family there and I wish my boys were closer to all of that instead of just California city stuff. That just means I need to get back more often.

TUCKER

2010-08-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

We finally got the new addition home this week. It took us a solid three days before we could decide on a name, but we have settled with Tucker ( I did make sure that both Luke and Dylan could pronounce the T at the beginning). He has settled in nicely and Sophie seems to enjoy him more and more everyday. He is really sweet and laid back, alot like Sophie. He is going to be a big dog and he has a lot of growing to do to catch up to his paws. We are so excited he is with us now and can't wait to take the two fluff balls on walks through the neighborhood.

The Boat Shop

2010-07-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Not so far from our house, down near Belmont Shore there is a little spot called the Boat Shop near the Colorado Lagoon and inlet. You can take your kids everyday of the week from 11:00-3:00 and they get to build wooden boats from scratch. They have some young adults and organizers there to help them with the steps, but for the most part, the boys build their own model boats, from glueing parts together to sanding them to a glassy smooth finish. The great part, is that when they are done with their vessels, on Friday afternoons, they get to sail them and race each other across the lagoon.

It is so relaxing to just sit and watch the boys create and enjoy themselves. Jaden and Luke are getting into this and can't wait for their boats to be ready to race.

Our new addition

2010-06-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

We are so excited. I was able to head to San Diego yesterday and pick out our new puppy. This is a picture of the little guy at 10 days old. We are leaning toward the name Jake, but that is not official yet. The boys are beside themselves and cannot wait to get the little guy home. Maybe a buddy will help relieve some of Sophie's boredom.

Happy Birthday Grandma

2010-06-28T10:18:00.001-07:00

Today would have been Grandma Saundra's 67th birthday. Me and the boys just want to say have a happy day wherever you are and we are thinking of you.

New Additions

2010-06-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

Alright, so some of you may think we are absolutely nuts, but we are getting another Golden Doodle puppy. Surprisingly, I am calm and very excited to have another big dog in our house. I guess for me, they are like a replacement for the horses I have always had. We all love Sophie so much and she has been such an amazing addition to our family that we decided to add another one.

I cannot say enough good about these dogs. I swear Sophie is a human in a dog suit and she listens much better than my own boys. She goes with me everywhere and I have come to be known as the lady with the furry dog hanging out the car window. Tony was actually the one that decided that we should get another, so with that said I contacted the breeder we got Sophie from and got on a waiting list. Two days ago, our litter was born. We will get to pick from three males (on the left).

Grandpa Doug wonders how I am going to do it and I told him "the dogs don't ask you to wipe their bums and they don't need baths every night." They are a piece of cake to take care of in comparison to three rambunctious boys. Our new puppy, name to be determined, will be coming home with us in mid August.

Reflections

2010-06-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

So, last fall, Jaden kept bugging me that he needed to take a picture for school. Come to find out, it was for the reflections contest which the theme was "What Beauty Is". I schlepped the kids over to the nearby El Dorado Park and gave Jaden my Nikon D80 camera and said "Point and shoot, buddy."

We had the picture enlarged and printed in black and white and Jaden turned it in as his entry for the contest. Last week, Jaden comes home with a medal around his neck - I ask him what it was for and he said "for my picture". I could not think for the life of me what he was talking about. Then, in the bottom of his backpack, a flyer announcing the reflections reception showing Jaden's name as first place K-2 photography in his school and an merit of honor for the district.

I laugh because I remember entering the reflections contest every year with bated breath hoping i would come home with something. I love that he is so nonchalant about the whole thing and he did so awesome. Who knew we had a photographer in the house. Good job bud.

Friday Night Lights Out

2010-05-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

So Spring is on it's way and we just finished another awesome season of flag football. Luke did an outstanding job and even though he was a year younger than everyone else on his team, he would score at least one touchdown a game and was a flag pulling maniac. Their team, the UC Trojans, went undefeated for the season.

Jaden played on the 49's and they were a fun team to watch. They ended up third place for the 1st/2nd grade division overall. Tony was able to be the assistant coach and had a fun time making up plays and giving them names like "the cherry picker". I still don't know what they did in that play, but they would usually score if they used it. Jaden loves the competition and was a bit sad when they lost in the third round of playoffs.

Tony gets a bit into it, and the coach of the Steeler's in the picture kept telling the ref to throw Tony off the field and have him ejected. That guy was nuts, but I do think that Tony needs a Xanax before most of the games. Great season, lots of fun. We will miss our Friday nights out -

especially Dylan.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-08T09:47:00.001-07:00

I am posting day early since I figured Mother's Day will be pretty busy. Today is a bittersweet day. It is beautiful outside, birds singing, sun shining, but then there is the cloud that today is the 2 year mark since Mom left. I cannot believe that much time has passed - it seems so long since I have seen her, yet I can still smell her face lotion and see the curves of her hands. I have vivid memories of her canning tomatoes, pushing the fruit into those glass jars, fingers scrunched together making those amazing treats. I see her washing dishes, with her face to the window, watching the birds in her soft velvet slippers. What I wouldn't give to sit at the island and have a long discussion with her while she cooks. The pain of missing her has eased from that gut wrenching stab in the chest, to a longing ache that never really leaves. She crosses my mind at least 20 times a day and I often wonder what she is up to in her new adventure.

I spoke with DeAnn yesterday and we talked about how we base everything from the day that she died. Two years since everything was normal. I spoke with Mom that morning she died. She was picking out toilets for the new house and we laughed at that and I told her I loved her. She had me speak with Dad for a minute and then we hung up. I am so glad that I was able to speak with both of them before that fateful afternoon.

Later that afternoon, I was picking Jaden up from his golf lesson. I remember the song on the radio "Please Release Me, Let Me Go" - playing at about 2:40pm Pacific Time. I thought to myself how I did not get a Mother's Day card in the mail in time and I needed to let her know how amazing I thought she was. I told the boys that I needed to send Grandma a really long email letting her know how much we love her. That email never got sent. I had gone home and was making dinner for three screaming boys. I remember Tony startled me when he walked through the back door since it was early for him to be home. He had a strange look in his eye - he grabbed my hands and said "I need to talk to you". He told me how much he loved me and would always be there for me. I thought he was going to announce he was having an affair and after looking back, I wish that's all it was. He then told me "There's been an accident and your mom was killed today". I looked at him like it was a sick joke, then my knees buckled and I hit the floor. I remember screaming "not my mom, not my mom". The rest is a blurr, as the hours passed and friends flooded in for support.

Like I said, today is bittersweet. Two years ago at this time, everything was normal. I had my mom and my boys had their grandma. Jaden talked about her this morning and how she would walk him to the water tower. I am so glad that he can still remember her and have fond memories of what a wonderful person she was. My heart aches that Dylan will never know her - she would have had so much fun with him. I believe Luke remembers her and I truly believe that she still comes to see him on occasion.

So, I say to you Mom, "Happy Mother's Day". You were the best mom and my best friend and I miss you every second of every day.

Happy Birthday Mango!!

2010-04-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that my Dylan (aka Mango) has turned 3!!! He is such a crazy kid and he brings excitement and joy to us everyday. He is a cabinet climbing, singing, break dancing, cool California kid. He definitely has a bit of Grandma Saundra's mischievious side and a glint in his eye to prove it. He likes to whine until he get what he wants and he is very stubborn and strong willed. He knows what he wants and when he wants it, and you better not cross him when he makes up his mind. I love that about him and yet it drives me crazy.

For his birthday on Sunday the 25th, all he would say is "I want my happy birsday party at Dineeyand. I will wide piwuts of da beee un and da twain". The translation that last part is that he was going to ride pirates of the caribbean and the train. So away we went to Disneyland. We spent the whole day at the park and that night we checked into the Grand Californian Hotel and stayed the night. We had the best time.

This is what happens after a full day at the park. They loved the bunk beds in the hotel room.

Happy Birthday my little Mango!! We love you D!

X-RATED

2010-04-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

I bet that title got everybody's attention. So, in the mail yesterday, I get a package from Aunt DeAnn. It was filled with Jaden's b-day present and some suprises for the little boys. There was also a little treat for me - a book called "Porn For Women". I looked at the cover for a minute and opened up to the first page. From there is was a laugh fest. Every page offers another nice looking gentleman, either doing household chores or stating he is a good listener and offering some chamomille tea.

Who doesn't love a clean house? I love when my man does the laundry, grocery shops and takes the kids out so I can relax. Who put this book together - they know what turns a woman on.

This next one cracks me up - the Italian guy telling me my hair looks great. Sort of ironic isn't it considering who I live with.

Thanks Aunt De for a few minutes of gut wrenching laughter. I actually had tears rolling for a minute or two - I laughed about as hard as when Land started on the Helen Keller jokes and Jaden and Luke added the "Why did the chicken cross the road?" answer "To saze the Woored".

This Is How We Roll In Cali - (Easter Eggs That Is)

2010-04-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

We woke up on Easter morning to the most gorgeous day. The kids took over the backyard and found the 60 hard boiled and 40 plastic eggs that the Easter Bunny managed to hide for them. Dylan loves this holiday and really gets into it and just kept yelling "I find anuzzer one - the Eeser Bunny hide them".

Tony has always thought that are tradition at Grandpa Edison's of throwing Easter eggs was completely insane, but so much fun. Since we don't get back to Henefer very often, we decided that we would keep the egg throwing tradition alive and well. So goes the 2nd Annual Damar Street Easter Egg Games!!

Tony lit up the barbecue and we did bacon and scrambled eggs and had a buffet to make breakfast burritos. He took his trusty coffee machine out on a table in the front yard and all the neighbors and the kids (most in pajamas) came over for an early breakfast and to get ready for the egg throw. As you know, you always need a target when throwing eggs, so our neighbor drew targets on a few shirts and we made the dads wear them. They jumped our fence to get up on the drainage ditch walkway and the eggs started to fly. We only had one injury, when Austin who is 10 and a pitcher, nailed his dad in the temple. We thought he might pass out and roll down into the LA river, but he was alright. After the kids threw about 120 eggs, we did some egg races.

The neighbors think we are nuts, but they loved it. Our house is considered the "party house" on Damar Street and Tony always loves to have people over and entertain. It has really become a wonderful home for us. It was a great day and I think my boys are looking forward to next years 3rd Annual Easter Egg Games.

BeFORE, After, BeFORE, After

2010-03-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post the transformation in our backyard this past month. We had laid sod a couple of years ago, but we have so much shade that it ended up looking like it had male pattern baldness, with patched of dirt and scruffs of grass here and there. We finally decided that a putting green and fake grass would be the fix. The company came in and tore up the entire backyard and resurfaced it before laying the turf. Dylan was right in the mix of things and everytime they would go to get more fill gravel, he would hop in the wheelbarrow and ride.

This stuff is amazing and our backyard is so fun to hang out in now. The dog runs like crazy, the kids run and slide on their bellies (no grass stains or mud, yeah) and we don't have to water it. It feels really good to walk on too. Here's to plastic grass!!

The Big 8

2010-03-29T14:43:00.001-07:00

Well, can you believe that today is Jaden's 8th birthday. There were some points in the last year that I wasn't sure if he was going to make it to this milestone, but he made it through. Thanks for being such a great kid, Jaden. Your make me laugh we your contagious laugh, your Grandpa Doug mannerisms and your quick witted mind. You are stubborn too and a total type "A" personality. That's what makes you such an amazing athlete and student.

So, to celebrate Jaden's b-day, we had him take a couple of his friends and his brothers to the Pirate Dinner show in Buena Park. Maybe a little risque for an 8 year, when the wenches came out in their low cut outfits to serve dinner, but luckily no one noticed (except maybe Tony). The kicker was for the ride there, Tony rented a stretch limo and we surprised the boys when it rolled up to the house. They all climbed in (boys only - I got to stay home for some quiet time) and away they went to "shiver their timbers". When they were done, they came home and had cake and ice cream with everybody. I think he had a great celebration - in fact, he told me today that he is getting bored with everyone saying happy birthday to him. I am sure he will live through it.

He's In Training

2010-03-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

Well, that time has come. No more diapers for my youngest. We had a talk and decided that he is going into "training" - potty training that is. Big "D" is taking this very seriously, but he won't quite give the diapers up completely. If we have to leave the house, he has me put a diaper on, then a pair of his little tighty whiteys on top of that. Makes him feel like a big boy I guess. You go, Dylan. I can't wait until I get my raise when I don't have to buy diapers anymore. I may go into withdrawals, since I have been buying diapers for 8 years now , nonstop.

Not So Lucky!

2010-03-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

So, I have been having this back pain for over a week now. A trip to the doctor, another to urgent care and pain killers and muscle relaxers and still no relief. That is until today - my OBGYN ordered an ultrasound so I got the results. I am expecting kidney stones (you all thought I was going to say a baby - ha!) No, I am the proud owner of kidney stones and I have been miserable, althought still doing everything, for the past week. I am going to drink gallons of water and hope that they pass without any more pain. I would rather be in labor to be honest - at least the pain comes and goes and in the end you get a baby, not a little calcified piece of crap.

Luck of the Irish

2010-03-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

So, I thought I would challenge Jaden to find a 4 leaf clover in the yard. I thought it would buy some time and give him something to do. Boy, was I wrong. About 3 minutes after I set the challenge he came running in claiming he had found a 4 leaf clover. Doubting him, I took a look and sure enough that lucky little bug found a 4 leafer in the back yard.

My boys do not understand that they have so much Irish in their history. They believe that they are 100% Italian which I dont' argue with them too much on that. Poor kids, Italian-Irish boys - heaven help the women that end up with them.

Happy St. Patrick's Day. This one is for you Grandma Saundra - "Heaven help the woman married to an Irish Man"

Valentine's Day

2010-02-20T16:40:00.000-08:00

Well, nothing very romantic went down this year with Tony and I on Valentine's Day. We usually do not do much on that holiday. We did go to San Diego for the FCG World Championship golf tournament for Jaden, so we had a little vacation. Grandpa Doug flew in and met us at the hotel and we had a great weekend.

Jaden and Tony went out the first day and had a rough time of it. Jaden scored about as high a score as he has ever gotten - too many 3 putts. Luke was able to enter the 6 and under division and had a fabulous time. Every putt was followed by his trademark arm pump and big high fives to the other players. His energy is infectious.

On day two of the tournament, Grandpa Doug got to caddy for Jaden and the two of them headed out for 9 holes in the final round. Jaden did shave two shots of his previous day score and he had a great time with his grandpa. Luke shot his personal best (it was his first and only tournament) but did get an exemption to play in next years event. Watch out - he may be something to watch out for.

It was so good to see Dad. We had gone to dinner the first night to a nearby restaurant and my boys were being their normal, loud selves. About half way through the dinner, a family sat nearby who had a daughter, about 20 years old, that was suffering from Tourette's syndrome. My boys would jump every time she would make her loud yelps and hollers. Dad just turned to us and said that was the first time we had ever been to a restaurant and there was a table louder than ours. He is absolutely right - there are no quiet dinners when my boys are involved. They are getting better, but I think it was even nicer once we got a couple of margaritas in Dad. We had a lot of laughs and a great weekend and lots of golf.

The first picture above sums it all up. Luke is signing his final golf score card and you see Dylan hanging in the back ground like a monkey. Yep, no rest for the weary.

FNL - It's Back!

2010-02-20T13:33:00.000-08:00

Well, the spring season of FNL is now underway. Jaden is on an awesome team, the 49's and Luke is donning the USC Trojans jersey. They had their season opener last night and we walked away with two wins. Yeah - a far cry where in the fall we had no wins with Luke and only three with Jaden's team. It was painful to watch. To top it off, Luke scored a touchdown and Jaden an interception and two touchdowns. Way to go boys!

Great Days

2010-02-09T13:08:00.001-08:00

It rained like crazy here a few weeks ago and we had a huge tree in the nearby park fall over. The boys thought it was the most awesome thing to climb through the twisted branches and make a hut out of it.
When we got home, the neighbor girl helped the boys make kites and they tied them to their helmets, scooters or bikes and flew down the street with the kites flying behind them.

Kiiiyaaa!!!

2010-02-09T12:52:00.001-08:00

Well, I have to say that I think we have found somebody to rival Aunt Mel's "kiiiyaaa"s. Luke and Jaden have been doing Tae Kwon Do for about three month now and Luke decided he wanted to do a tournament last weekend. Jaden chickened out, but little Luke strolled out there amidst 100 other kids and did his yellow belt forms and board breaking like a champ. The little stinker took a first place medal and a second place trophy home. Not bad for his first tourny and he was was of the littlest guys, but the loudest "Kiiyaa" in the place.

SUPER BOWL!!

2010-02-07T10:32:00.000-08:00

Well, Super Bowl Sunday is upon us and I have a house full of boys that are planning to sit around and watch the game. Tony has converted our bonus room into a "man cave" complete with two level theatre seating and surround sound.

For some reason, Super Bowl days really make me miss Mom. She was so a part of the football life with Dad that I just put the two of them together. I found some pictures from the San Diego Super Bowl - how much fun was that!! Grandpa eating nachos in the stands before the game, Mel with the shirts that read "He's big, he's bad - he's our big, bad, Dad". The commissioners party with more food than I have ever seen in my life. Then Dad on the field of this massive event, looking like a little gnat. I remember I teared up when I first saw him come out - the little guy from Coalville, Utah out in the midst of the biggest sporting event on the planet. Awesome! Then there was the Tampa Super Bowl with Darren screaming "Bead me, baby", N'Sync and Brittney at halftime. Holding up the signs of Dad to the Aerosmith bus while on the way to the stadium and Steven Tyler giving a thumbs up. Mom was a trooper at that one. She was so sick and we still drug her to the game in her stuper.

Anyway, have a great game day! wish you here Mom to watch it with us.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2010-01-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

It has finally stopped raining. For a couple of days there, I thought we were going to actually float away. It started on Monday, while were at Disneyland (we must have been nuts to go). Streets were flooded, our garage as well and I spent Tuesday gathering sand bags to try and redirect all the water. Tuesday afternoon, we get the call that there were tornado warnings in are area, so for two hours I was biting my nails.

Wednesday rolls around and Tony and I wake up with what feels like "morning sickness". Don't worry, I am not pregnant and Tony had the same feeling - just awful nausea all day long. By 7:00pm my head was hanging in the toilet and kids thought I was a spectacle, running back to Tony giving a play by play of my puking. Gotta love the boys and there kinds hearts. Thursday morning, Jaden woke up complaining of a belly ache, so we kept him home from school and we were stuck in the house all day. Just a little stir craziness.

Friday comes and everyone is back to school. I have horses to load out for a flight to Amsterdam in the morning so I headed up there. Get back to Jaden's school to watch him get an award at school for participation and showing enthusiasm in his schoolwork. Get home, Tae Kwon Do, dinner, get to sleep. 1:00am we wake up to Luke throwing up in bed - is this ever going to stop? He woke up this morning and is asking for 8 waffles, sprite, juice and anything else that is not nailed down. I think he is better. A rough few days for the mom with the vomit phobia. I am so much better and do not have the panic attacks like I used to. I can actually rub their heads while they are sick now and not have a cow. My mom would be so proud.

The sun is out today and I hope we dry up a bit and I hope the puke bug steers clear. Now I have too much laundry to do.

The Dark Side

2010-01-19T08:31:00.003-08:00

No words can explain this picture. Darth Maul riding a scooter in his PJ's. Dylan you are truly a nut.

Luke is Super Size!!

2010-01-19T08:02:00.000-08:00

Well, little Luke has finally made the jump to 5 years old. My Lukestar, the classic middle child, is getting older. He has the biggest heart, every teacher at his school loves him, and his spirit is contagious. He still has a bit of a lisp when it comes to saying his "F"'s so when Aunt De told him to say he was going to be super five, it comes out as "Super Size".

He is a little squirt and bounces around like a gnat. He is so good at Tae Kwon Do and flag football and is even taking a swing at golf. He is always the first one to blurt out "I love you Mom" and gives the best hugs. He is my little left handed, Star Wars loving, dirt bike riding, longest eye lashes ever, little buddy.

For his birthday, we decided rain or shine, that we were going to head to Disneyland. At 10:00am yesterday morning we arrived at the happiest place on earth with plastic ponchos in hand and weather shield on the stroller. It drizzled on and off for a few hours and we were finally able to ride the Nemo ride without the two hour wait. At around 1:30pm the skies opened up and we were getting bombed. We made a run for the exit, Jaden and Dylan in the stroller, me pushing the stroller, Tony and Luke running with ponchos holding umbrellas. This was great until the wind kicked up. Luke was about to do a Mary Poppins and every time Tony would turn around his poncho would fly into his face and he couldn't see where he was going. I must have been pushing the stroller pretty fast, because I hear Jaden screaming that he was stuck. I walked around the front and the plastic weather shield had pushed back against his face. He looked like a bug on a windshield. Luke was giggling so hard and I had to stop for fear that i would pee my pants because I was laughing at the whole situation.

Anyway, it was a great day and Luke had the best "Super Size" birthday. Love you little guy.

Christmas Cards

2009-12-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

OK - I am not a fan of Christmas cards. I know I need to get one out every year to update everyone on how the family is doing, but I think it is just a way to send out a picture so everyone can see how the kids are growing. I never include Tony and I in those pictures. Mainly because I can never find anyone to take a picture of all of us at a time when our hair is all combed and we are dressed decently. Hence the cards with just the boys. It took about 50 shots this year to find one that would do for the Christmas mail - I have posted one that sums up the whole photo shoot for me. Sophie is yawning, as she is obviously bored to death, although she is the only one that listens. Jaden kept pulling the Billy Idol snarl and Dylan smiles by jutting his jaw in the air and flashing his binky overbite. Luke just gives a little smirk and holds onto the dog while I am screaming to move this way and that, smile, don't move, don't touch your brother, look at me, etc.

I am excited for Christmas. I think the reason I wanted kids was because of Santa. I love the reindeer prints on the front porch, the chewed up carrots and half drunk glass of milk left in the morning. I remember as kid, army crawling down Grandma Hazel's hallway with a flashlight to spy in the living room @ 2:00am to see if Santa had made it. DeAnn knows all about this, because she was usually my partner in crime. I loved that feeling of laying in bed, hearing your own heart beat, and swearing it was Santa walking on the roof. I love my boys to experience that and the anticipation of the big red guy coming to see if they were naughty or nice. We also have Edward the Elf that comes every December and hangs out in the weeks before Christmas. The boys check on his location about every hour to see if he has moved or left any goodies. Dylan is at that age that he is truly getting it this year and he is having a blast.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-23T08:31:00.000-08:00

How sad is it that I am posting about Thanksgiving just two days before Christmas. I will admit that December has been a bit of a whirlwind and I have not had much time to sit down and do anything for myself.

Back to Thanksgiving. What a great day! It was the best having De, Darren, Chase and Land here with not only Grandpa Doug, but we had Tony's dad, Angelo here as well. There was a game of flag football in 85 degree weather, skateboarding, eating until we were stuffed and a walk on Seal Beach to top the night off. I think Grandpa Doug had a great time, even though we were all thinking about Mom. She would have loved that all of us were together, laughing and enjoying the day.

My boys absolutely love the Olsen clan. Luke and Dylan have picked their favorites and Land and Chase know who they are. Luke is definitely the one that is into skateboarding now and wants to ride like Land. Dylan follows DeAnn around like a lost puppy and cries when she leaves. She takes such a load off my shoulders when she is here. A lot like Mom used to, like the cavalry helping with my rowdy boys and giving me five minutes to take a shower.

Thanks to all my family that came down and helped us through that day. I think we are going to start a new tradition and eat turkey in sunny California every year if we can handle it.

How Time Flies

2009-11-13T17:43:00.000-08:00

I had to post a picture that I found on an old camera of the boys. Can you believe that the baby is actually Dylan? Luke is just over 2 1/2 in that picture - look at his gorgeous curls. I had to put the recent pictures of the boys for comparison. They are all growing up so fast and changing into little men. I am going to have a heart attack when their voices change.

By the way, Dylan got a job, an actual paying job and photo shoot. We go next Wednesday up in the valley. I think he gets to play with some toys while they take some shots. I really hope he cooperates.

Just Another Day

2009-11-10T14:59:00.001-08:00

I loved this picture of the boys and Sophie. We snuck over to El Dorado Park to walk the dog around a bit and they found this tree they thought they could climb. It is funny being the mother of boys, so exhausting, yet when your little one turns to you and says "Mom, I love you too much" it makes all this worthwhile. Love you guys.

Notice Luke's haircut - he looks like Grandpa Doug now that the long locks are gone. Nice leaf - it was bigger than all their heads put together.

A Day at the Aquarium

2009-11-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

The day after Halloween, I took the boys to the Aquarium of the Pacific to hang out and pet the sting rays. We went with our good friends the Hansard's (they also have three boys) and had a great day. The shark in the picture above just kept getting closer to the window and finally Jaden decided to get the heck out of there. Luke is checking stuff out with Nick Hansard above.

Adam Hansard was in the aquarium tube when this stingray swam overhead. Dylan was content to try and pet the stingrays.

HALLOWEEN

2009-11-09T10:19:00.001-08:00

We had a great Halloween this year. Of course Luke was Darth Vader, I could not expect anything different, but the other two boys strayed from the force. Jaden was the grim reaper and Dylan was a "scary guy" as he calls it. Actually he was a cute, green skeleton, but he thought it was pretty scary.

We had some friends over for dinner and trick or treating. The little girl in the picture is Isabella and the little boy is her brother Luke (also Tony's god son). I was a party pooper and did not dress up this year. Last year I roamed the neighborhood as Princess Leah, so I thought I would give her a rest this time.

Boys Being Boys

2009-10-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know, it has been awhile since I have sat down and "blogged". To be honest, I have a hard time finding time during the day to do things like that with the three boys running around. My computer is on the fritz and will not let me download any new photos, so I thought I would post some older photos.

Labor Day weekend was spent swimming all day at Uncle Anthony's house with the extended family. The boys were in rare form and I love the picture of Luke throwing a few gang signs. I won't post the one with their fingers up their noses. We had a great time and the boys were exhausted at the end - hence the picture of Luke and Dylan in the car on the way home. Luke could not even finish his goodies before he knocked off.

2009-10-05T10:32:00.000-07:00

Every fall, in nearby Los Alamitos, they have an organized league of flag football for kids 5-13. It is really popular, and it sells out the day they open sign ups. This is Jaden's third season playing and Luke's very first. Dylan thinks he is signed up and makes me put his jersey on so he can make his 5:00pm games.

Jaden is playing on the Rams and is amazing to watch. He is so intense and cannot stand to let the ball get by him. Luke is on the Chargers, and even though he is a year younger than all his teammates, he has made two touchdowns and is the number one flag puller.

Dylan, what can I say about Dylan. He does his thing and as long as he is doing what the big boys are doing he is in hog heaven.

Nona

2009-08-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

Sadly, yesterday evening around 7:30pm, Tony's Nona passed away. She was 95 years young and an amazing woman. Her body just finally gave out and she passed away peacefully with her family around her.

Amelia Gagliardi, or "Nona" as everyone called her, was a little, fiesty Italian woman that always made you smile when you saw her. You would ask her how she was doing and she would turn the sides of her mouth down and shrug her shoulders as if to say "ah, whatever". She was always kind to me and the boys and even though she did not speak much English, we could actually sit and have some great conversations.

Her funeral is Friday and I am not sad with her passing. I wish that kind of long life for all of us, still mobile and sharp as a tack up until your time comes. I will miss her kind kisses on the cheek at the family parties, but I know she is OK.

Dylan Is Going to Work - Hopefully

2009-07-31T16:15:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago, Dylan was signed by Ford Models in Los Angeles. He has his own comp card with all his stats and we have been waiting for them to call for a casting call. Well, that call finally came. Dylan has been asked in for a casting call for Gap Holiday. I am so excited. That would be the perfect gig for him - he is such a Gap kid. Jaden asked Dylan, since he was going to work if he would share his money with him. Dylan happily obliged. I am not opposed to child labor and if the kids can make some money with their cute mugs, so be it. It will sure help with college. Go Dylan!

Lazy Days

2009-07-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

The boys are keeping me busy and some days I feel like I may go insane. To help keep them entertained, we have a "tt" (trailer trash) blow up swimming pool in the backyard. They go nuts over it and jump in and out over and over. All three boys are in swimming lessons, so they are getting really confident in the water, especially Dylan. Jaden is still golfing and they love to get out and ride their scooters and vehicles.

I realized I had not posted a picture of our awesome dog Sophie. She is a big fluffball and you can snuggle all day with her since she doesn't shed at all. She cracks me up everyday. The big oaf loves to sit on your lap and give high fives. Love you Sophie dog.

Ahhh - SUMMER!!

2009-07-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

You just gotta love summer. The long days, perfect weather in the evenings, barbecues, and of course the beach. I have been taking the boys down to Sunset Beach (maybe hoping I would run into Jesse James and Sandra Bullock since they live there). It is a straight shot south from our house about 10 minutes away.

Dylan is the perfect beach bum - long, blonde surfer curls with that little squint from the sun. Jaden loves to battle the tide for the best sea shells, yelling at the top of his lungs and not being told to be quiet. Luke, a quieter little guy that loves to dig in the sand with his "shuzzle" (just for you Aunt Dee).

Long live summer!!!

Civil War

2009-05-30T17:13:00.000-07:00

We are so lucky to live next to one of the most beautiful parks around. El Dorado park is huge, so big that many of the city folk will get permits to camp in it overnight. Anyway, this weekend, they held a Civil War re-enactment so Tony and I took the boys over to see a little history.

It was awesome. Jaden was able to have a little conversation with this guy that looked just like Abe Lincoln. Everyone was dressed up to the hilt in the clothing of the era and they would all have conversations like they were living in 1865. They did a re-enactment with the cannons, horses, rifles and yes, dying shoulders. The boys kept saying "another one dieded" and "that guy got killed". Dylan would try and cover Tony's ears when the cannons went off because they were so loud. We sat and watched this morbid scene for about an hour - it was actually very fascinating to see how the wars were fought before all of this high tech garbage we have now. At the end of the battle they played taps and everyone dispersed to the food tents.

The Never Ending Remodel

2009-05-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, when you buy a house in southern CA, it is very rarely a new build. You usually inherit a antiquated abode built in the late 50's or early 60's. When we moved 2 years ago, we loved the house for it's location on the end of a quiet cul de sac, my saving grace when it comes to the three wild amigos.

Basically, everything in the house needed updating from it's original 60's aura. I called it the Brady bunch house for a long time with it's white quartz fireplace to the yellow, or should I say maize oven and stove top with matching linoleum. Finally, after living on plywood for about 6 months in the living room, were were able to get a big chunk of it completed. Tony loves demolition and has visions of what this house can be. On a Sunday morning, he started tearing out the old front windows and put the new ones in. You can see how happy he was to have the old nasty windows gone. We have replaced every interior door with doors made by the guy in Kamas and put in a wine closet and a new front door. It is really becoming our tuscan retreat and we have done most of the work ourselves. We figure we are going to be here for some time so we might as well make our mark on it.

Mother's Day

2009-05-11T12:34:00.001-07:00

We got through yesterday with flying colors. Such a bittersweet day, having to celebrate your own motherhood knowing that Mom was not around. I hope she know what an amazing mother she was and how lucky I was to have the best mom there is or was.

My day was actually pretty darn great. Jaden and Tony surprised me with waffles in bed and with this card - I just cracked up at the things he wrote. Luke proceeded to tell me that he was going to do the dishes and the laundry then put me down for a nap. How sweet of him for thinking that I need a nap. Being the mother of boys is exhausting, rewarding, comedic, intense, overwhelming and wonderful. Happy mother's day to all you moms.

2009-05-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

"Hi Jen, it's just Mom". I cannot tell you how much I miss those words coming back at me through the answering machine. Mom would call and if I missed it, she would start her messages that way. How funny she would say "it's just Mom". She was so much more - my best friend, confidant, mentor and hero. I am still in awe of what an amazing woman she truly was. I miss those daily phone calls and hearing her calming voice - I so need that now. Life seems to be in such turmoil, kids going this way and that and moments spinning all around me.

I won't lie. I have not been much good to anyone this past year. I have muddled through, doing just enough to get by, nothing extra. Just trying to get through each day without bawling uncontrollably and wishing she were still here.

I have this overwhelming urge to seek a sitting with a medium. I have to laugh,as I tried to purchase a ticket to see John Edwards here in Los Angeles. You could buy a ticket, but you were not guaranteed a reading. I am still convinced that if I get there, I know Mom and Grandma Hazel would show up to say a few things from the other side. It's like I am grasping for one last moment with her, just to have her say "it's OK Jen, you are doing a good job". She was the one person that made me feel adequate as a mother and constantly telling me I was good at it, although I sometimes feel otherwise.

I miss the constant support from her. It must have been exhausting for her to stand by me all these years, making mistakes and being there and helping me through the consequences. She knew me better than anyone and I did not have to validate myself to her. She was completely accepting of me and loved me unconditionally.

Two days ago I walked into Tony's salon and there was this huge arrangements of dogwood flowers. How ironic that they would be there this week, of all weeks and her favorite flowers. I told Tony how wierd it is to think that it has been a year since anything was normal. I am wondering if I will feel this way every year from here on out. The feeling of missing her and needing her seems to grow stronger and not weaken with passing time. Mom, you were one of a kind and I am the luckiest person in the world to have had you as my mom. We miss you more than you can know and hope that you are doing OK. I love you with my heart.

2009-05-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

2009-04-29T13:21:00.001-07:00

OK - so I am bit late in posting this blog about Easter. It was a bitter sweet day here. We decided that since we could not get to Grandpa Edison's for the Easter egg throw, that we would start a tradition here. We included the neighbor's, which at the end of all of this, probably thought we were completely nuts, but the kids loved it.

We had Tony go on the other side of the fence on the drainage canal next to our house. He took a bit metal lid/cover and used this as his shield. We lined all the kids up and told them to let loose and use Tony as the target. AFter that there was a silly string fight and lots of laughs.

The Easter bunny had hid about 70 eggs in our backyard, so the boys had an awesome time looking for those early in the morning.

Dylan the Villian

2009-04-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that my youngest has turned 2. Where did those years go? Dylan, thanks for being such an extravert and constantly on the go. There are days that I wish you would slow down, but if you did that I would probably think something was wrong and run you to the doctor. You are so full of life and mischief. Please stop sneaking in the cabinets to get the Windex and spray every flat surface in the house. Also, if you could not use the plunger to play in the toilet water, I would appreciate that as well. Hope you had the happiest birthday ever!

Here is a picture of Dylan's first haircut by Tony. He was so good. He just stood there and let Tony trim away. He has the best hair and I love to run my fingers through it and make it really big.

Happy Birthday Jado Potato!

2009-04-06T16:48:00.001-07:00

I am a bit late in posting this blip for Jaden, but he has turned the big "7". I cannot believe he is getting so big. He is such a great kid, yet can be a bit sullen at times. Does anyone remember me when I was seven - he is so much like me - the glass was always half full and I had to complain about everything. He is however, a morning person, awesome at math, loves telling cheesy jokes, laughs from his belly and is the greatest little guy. I do miss his "I block your way" and "I will trim your arm off" phrases and the telling of strangers that we have cat piss in our garage. We have now graduated to "oh my tenders" when he gets hit in the privates and the blurting out of math equations in the car.

Jaden spent his birthday at Disneyland with his dad and two of his friends from school. I couldn't go as Luke has the flu, so I was on puke duty. He had the best time and at the end of the day he told his dad he wanted is next birthday to be just the same. We had a cake at home and his brothers sang a loud rendition of Happy Birthday. Tony convinced him to take a closer look at the cake, then proceeded to shove his face in it, bringing out one of his best belly laughs.

Octomom

2009-03-21T13:13:00.001-07:00

I could not resist posting this video. Since Octomom lives not too far from us I had to put it on here - cracks me up.

Great Book!

2009-03-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

When Grandma died, our neighbor brought a book over to the kids called "The Next Place" by Warren Hanson. Jaden had it out the other night reading aloud to us, and it made me think of Mom and how I know that she is OK where she is now.

The Next Place

The next place that I go, will be as peaceful and familiar as a sleepy summer Sunday and a sweet, untroubled mind.

Any yet....it won't be anything like any place I've ever been... or seen...or even dreamed of in the place I leave behind.

I won't know where I am going, and I won't know where I've been as I tumble through the always and look back toward the when.

I'll glide beyond the rainbows. I'll drift above the sky. I'll fly into the wonderful, without every wondering why.

I won't remember getting there. Somehow I will just arrive. But I will know that I belong there and will feel much more alive than I

have ever felt before.

I will be absolutely free of the things that I held onto that were holding onto me.

The next place that I go will be so quiet and so still that the whispered song of sweet belonging will rise up to fill the listening

sky with joyful silence, and with unheard hamonies or music made by no one playing, like a hush upon a breeze.

There will be no room for darkness in that place of living right.

Where an ever-dawning morning pushes back the dying night

The very air will fill with brilliance, as the brightly shining sun, and the moon and half a million stars are married into one.

The next place that I go won't really be a place at all.

There won't be any seasons - no winter, summer, spring or fall.

Nor a Monday, nor a Friday, nor December nor July, And the seconds will be standingstill...while hours hurry by.

I will not be a boy or girl, a woman or a man.

I'll simply be just, simply me. No worse or better than.

My skin will not be dark or light.

I won't be fat or tall.

The body I once lived in won't be a part of me at all.

I will finally be perfect. I will be without a flaw

I will never make one more mistake, or break the smallest law.

And the me that was impatient, or was angry or unkind, will simply be a memory. The me I left behind.

I will travel empty-handed. There is not a single thing I have collected in my life that I would ever want to bring

except ... the love of those who oved me, and the warmth of those who cared.

The happiness and memories and magic that we shared.

Though I will know the joy of solitude... I'll never be alone.

I'll be embraced by all the family and friends I've ever known.

Although I might not see their faces, all our hearts will be as one.

And the circle of our spirits will shine brighter than the sun.

I will cherish all the friendship I was fortunate to find, and the love and all the laughter in the place I leave behind.

All these good things will go with me. They will make my spirit glow.

And that light will shine forever in the next place that I go.

This story just makes me believe that Mom is alright where she is. She is surrounded by the spirits of people that loved her and she is happy.

Funny note - I found out that John Edwards, the medium that can speak with those that have passed is coming to LA. I am bound and determined to save enough money to get a ticket and go. They do not guarantee a reading if you get in, but I know if I get there that Mom and Grandma Hazel would show up to make a comment. I know Mom was open to that sort of stuff and we talked about Sylvia Brown all the time. I will let you know how the ticket hunting goes.

Air Force One

2009-03-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

OK - so Barack Obama had decided to use the Long Beach airport as his touchdown for his visit to CA. I thought it would a great opportunity for the kids to see Air Force One touch down. It is such an amazing plane - a quiet, stalking 747 painted a pristine blue and white. We were fortunate that Tony's salon is right under the flight path so I headed over to his work so we could see the big bird come in. When the plane came into sight to the East the parking lot filled up with people coming out to get a glimpse. The plane quietly and majestically flew right over our heads and landed. About 10 minutes later, a group of 5 helicopters passed over us again carrying the president to Orange County where he was going to speak. They were loud and flew fairly low right over us. I am not quite sure how I feel about the passenger in them, but I know it was something that you won't see everyday.

Random days

2009-03-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

Things are rolling along at the Cantafio house. I had to post some pictures of Sophie. She is such a great dog and she is getting huge! She is only 12 weeks old in the picture with Dylan and she looks like a big stuffed animal next to him. Aunt Mel made her a special blanket all her own and she loves it. Thanks Aunt Mel.
We also had some doors delivered by Marsha and Ralph that Tony could not wait to get in. Here he is, construction worker at large, installing are wine closet door. Living in a demolition zone is really hard, but the house will be amazing when we are done. The sooner the better.

Second Place Ain't Bad

2009-02-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

On Valetine's weekend, we all headed to San Diego for Jaden to compete in the Future Champions World Championship. He did awesome. He was down by 8 strokes after 9 holes on the final day. He looked over his scorecard and told his dad he wasn't golfing that great. He wanted it bad enough and on the back nine he made up 6 strokes to come in and take second place. I am so proud of him for knowing where he stood and what he had to do to get the job done. Congratulations Jaden!

Better Late Than Never

2009-02-06T16:10:00.000-08:00

I know that I am doing this backwards, but I thought I would post a few pictures from Christmas and a couple of days afterwards. We had a great Christmas, and just hung out at the house. Jaden woke up that morning and I thought he looked a little different. I said to him, "Where is your tooth?" and he smiled a shrugged his shoulders. We went into his room and found it between the sheets, so he really got to sing "all I want for Christmas....".

He just lost his second front tooth about two weeks ago and the big boy teeth are coming in. He lost another but doesn't remember that one coming out. I am definitely not fishing for that one if he swallowed it. Call it a goner.

Luke is doing great in school and has become a Nintendo DS addict. I think I may have to send him to rehab for this. Every morning the day starts out with "Can I play my DS?". I have to hide them in a closet and hide them until the weekends.

Then there is Dylan. What can you say about that crazy little guy! He is starting to talk and cracks me up every day. His first word was "Coke", but does that surprise anyone as that is my favorite thing in the whole world. He does not know he is one, and assumes that everyone else knows that as well. He loves music and dancing (uh oh), and sings along if there is a musical on TV. Can you say showtunes?

IT'S A GIRL!!

2009-02-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

Well, she's here. All 8 1/2 pounds, wet nose and hairy body. Our new puppy, Sophie, is a golden doodle (poodle x golden retriever) that will be a big teddy bear looking dog that doesn't shed - yeah!! The boys are so excited to have her and I finally get to buy pink!

Nov. 23rd, 1960

2008-11-23T14:41:00.001-08:00

Today would have been Mom and Dad's 48th wedding anniversary. I called Dad, talked to him awhile and was so proud that they made a life together for that many years. I miss Mom terribly, but I cannot even imagine how lonely Dad must feel. I am so proud of him and how he is so strong for everyone around him. They knew each other for so long, and I remember her telling me when she fell in love with Doug - she was in the seventh grade and he in the ninth. Does that even happen any more? What a fairytale. They had their struggles, but they stuck together, muddled through the hard times and relished the good ones. She is still right there by Dad, holding his hand and helping him through. I know how much she loved him and appreciated him - she told me all the time. I look forward to that many years with Tony and still having enough gusto for some public PDA now and then.

The Longest 6 Months

2008-11-20T09:53:00.000-08:00

It has been six long, painful months since Mom passed. I seem to miss her more and more everyday and the urge to call her does not seem to go away. I long to tell her the funny stories about the boys or just vent to her about my day or struggles. It is so hard to try and find the new path of my life without her in it - I can honestly say that my mother was my best friend.

I was thinking about our fun trips to East Fork as kids. She would pack up everything we needed for a day of fishing including chocolate twizzlers, hey dey bars and tinfoil for hobo dinners. Dad would stop at the store and get donuts and chocolate milk and that would be our breakfast at 5:30am. We would fish all day and dread the drive home, not wanting to leave that beautiful place. Those were the best times.

HALLOWEEN!!

2008-11-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

These are a few pics from a fundraiser that Tony had at his salon. He found out about a little boy named Diego Fuentes, 5 yrs old, who is battling a type of cancer similar to what Isabella had. Their insurance won't cover some of the treatments necessary and Diego is fighting for his life. Tony arranged the meet and greet with the Star Wars characters to help raise some funds.

Sad, sad day

2008-10-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I did the hardest thing I have had to do other than bury my mother. My horse of 20 years, my buddy "Chuck", had to be euthanized. I was there with him and stroked his cheek and told him what an amazing horse he is. It was very peaceful and he went quickly - no struggle, no fight, just calm and quiet. I have so many amazing memories with that horse and I will miss him so much. You could talk to him about anything, my big hairy, four-legged therapist. Like Grandpa Edison says "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man". It is strange to think that he is not here after so many years. I am just glad he is not in any more pain. He gave a good fight and it was my turn to do something for him.

I love you Chuck. Make sure and give Grandma a ride.

Surprise of a lifetime!

2008-10-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

After 7 long years, Tony's daughter, Isabella, showed up at his salon. We had not seen her since she was Jaden's age and she has grown into a beautiful young lady of 14 (as tall as Tony). This was the best gift we could have received and I know that Grandma Saundra had something to do with it. She had never met her brothers and they think it is great having a big sis!

Grandma Saundra

2008-10-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I have written anything down about Grandma since her passing. I miss her so much there are days I just can't believe and don't want to believe she is gone. I miss her visits and the daily phone calls to her. She was my best friend, my muse, my therapists, my sounding board. She validated nearly everything I did and I valued her opinion so much and miss it now that it is gone. I hope she knows how much I love her. I see her in my boys everyday and I know she is looking down on us and keeping a watchful eye. Luke always asks "When is Grandma coming back?" and I think to myself for a split second that maybe she will. Maybe she can come back and give me the rice pudding recipe that I would always call and ask for, but never wrote it down or spend an afternoon canning tomatoes so I can have those precious jars to make goulosh and eat the macaroni with a toothpick.

I miss you so much Mom!!

Luke's First Day of School

2008-10-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

I love this picture of Luke. This was his first day of preschool and he was soooo excited. I could hardly contain him. That lasted about 2 days, then the honeymoon phase ended. He now latches onto my leg and they have to pry him off of me crying and drag him into class. It is getting a bit better and hopefully by the end of the school year there will be no more tears. Love you Luke Star!

Trip to Santa Barbara

2008-10-12T09:35:00.001-07:00

Well, I have finally done it. I have a family photo posted on our blogspot. It may be the only one for awhile, or if the kids give me a moments peace I will get some more pics posted. I am excited to keep in touch with everyone this way and see how all your families are doing. Talk with you soon and check back, you might be surprised if I get something new up!