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My Family is Everything

2009-06-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

Well, a lot has been happening around our house lately, a lot of good, happy things. Our last one, Aaron, just graduated from high school and will be leaving home to attend Cal Poly Pomona at the end of August. We will then be empty nester's which really scares and excites me at the same time.

Christina & Xander came home for a visit (for Aaron's graduation). I can't believe how big Xander is now, walking, running, talking, playing and just busy, busy, busy in general. Wore me out with all his energy. I hated to see them leave though, enjoyed having them back home even if it was just for 4 days. Christina & I shopped, talked and we had a bbq with all the family so everyone could see them. Had some friends over as well, friends that I haven't seen in awhile because I have just been so anti-social since my mother passed away. I feel that I am getting back on track, trying to regain my old self again, but it's been a challenge. I am very thankful that I have an understanding husband & family & of course I have understanding friends as well who have all given me the time and the space that I have much needed. It hasn't been easy losing my best friend, my mother.

Kyle has arrived in Phoenix, Arizona as of yesterday. I fly out on Friday the 12th to spend 3 days with him, helping him unpack and try to get organized before Cara arrives in 3 weeks. I am excited to see him and spend some one on one time with him. He has been gone for a year now (we have had short visits) but this will be nice just spending time alone with him, getting to know the "man" that he has become. I'm so proud of him and his journey that he has made.

Christina & Anthony have come a long way as well. Very proud of my daughter too! She hung in there, continued to believe in her marriage when we all gave up on it. They are in the process of moving into their first home!! I am so excited for her & Xander. Xander will have a huge backyard to play in and I am just so happy, proud of them.

Mom's love happy endings...........

2009-04-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Kyle & Cara spent 4 days in Maui over the Easter weekend. These are some great pictures of them. Oh, and the Easter bunny.

Christina

2009-03-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

My daughter Christina & her husband Anthony. I miss shopping with her, talking to her, watching our programs together, but most of all......I just miss her being around. But she is happy & that makes mom happy.

Off to San Antonio Texas

2009-03-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

Christina, Anthony & Xander recently went to San Antonio, Texas to see Anthony's younger brother graduate from the AirForce. These are a few pictures from their trip.

Cal Poly Pomona Here Comes Aaron

2009-03-29T15:27:00.001-07:00

These are pictures of my step-son Aaron who will be graduating from high school on May 28th & heading to Cal Poly Pomona in the fall. We are very proud of him.

Big Boy Walking

2009-03-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

Xander is walking, has 6 teeth, and is getting so BIG!!! I can't wait to see him again when he & Christina come home on May 29th.

A visit to Pine Flats Lake with Kyle & Cara

2009-03-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

Kyle & Cara came home for a week on 3/19/09. While they were home we all went up to Pine Flats Lake for the weekend, it was cold, but we went anyway. They left to go to Arizona to visit her family & friends & took a U-Haul van full of belonging to her mothers. It was nice to spend some time with them & all their friends & our family out on the boat.

A visit from Hawaii

2009-03-07T14:57:00.000-08:00

My son Kyle & his girlfriend Cara came for a visit from Hawaii. We all went to Las Vegas for Valentines Day & this picture was taken at my parents house. It was nice to spend some time with them

Mother & Daughter, Daughter & Son

2009-03-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

A "BIG" Texas Howdy

2009-03-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

I recently went to Texas for Xander's 1st birthday which was on March 1st. I loved it there!! Everyone is sooooo friendly compared to California, I didn't want to come home. Enjoyed spending time with my daughter, Christina & Xander and her husband Anthony's family. Had a great trip. Xander is getting so big. He has 6 teeth, almost walking (not sure if he wants to yet) says "Hi" and waves. Eating "big" food now like scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, bananas, oatmeal, fries & the list goes on & on.

Happy 1st Birthday Xander Caiden

2009-03-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

My Mother

2009-01-25T09:44:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, December 18, 2008 my mom & my best friend gave up her battle and passed away. She is missed very much.

I love you mom. Rest now

TO A WONDERFUL LADY

2008-11-30T14:02:00.000-08:00

To my mother, Shirley who on September 18th became ill and who has been my best friend, I miss you mom. I wish you would fight this battle and come back to us. We all love you & miss you so very much.

A VISIT FROM HAWAII

2008-11-30T13:54:00.000-08:00

My son Kyle & his girlfriend Cara came for a visit. They live in Hawaii so it was nice to have them home for a few days. Kyle & Cara live on the island of Molokai.

I'M BATMAN!!!

2008-11-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

I have not been on for awhile! Right after Halloween my daughter moved with my grandson to Texas. I have been a little sad. Xander has lived with us since he was 4 weeks old until he was 8 months so not seeing him on a daily basis has been so hard for me. I miss his smiling face, his bright eyes, my little angel boy.

These are a few of his Halloween pictures and as you can see he was Batman!!

AN EXCITING DAY

2008-10-19T16:21:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 18, 2008 started out driving
down south to go to Aaron's football game. On the
way, Xander had his first french fry (well, he didn't
get to eat it cause grandma took it away). He had an
exciting time watching all the fans yell & scream and then
getting to see Uncle Aaron after they won the game 32-0
and 2 of those touchdowns were made by Aaron. Hey, at least one
of my teams won this weekend!

7 Months

2008-10-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

Can't believe Xander is 7 months now. He has two bottom teeth, is crawling, pulling himself up and eating stage 2 foods. We are ready for his first Halloween. He will be Superman because he has always been "Grandma's Little Superman".

This Little Piggy Went To Market

2008-09-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

I bought Xander some surfer shirts and

since mom had him all dressed and ready
to go I decided to take some pictures. He
has found his feet (as you can tell) and is
trying to crawl. He gets up on his hands
and knees, rocks back and forth, then goes
backwards!! It's so funny to watch him.
He says Da Da now and fake coughs when
you cough. Forgot how much fun it was
to have a baby around.

Xander's New Hat

2008-08-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

My friend Stephanie in NC sent this hat to Xander and grandma just had to take some pictures. He's getting so big!! They grow up way too fast.

A Day At The Beach

2008-08-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

This was Xander's first trip to the beach. We took him to Ventura and spent the day shopping at the outlets and down by the ocean. Needless to say, he did not like the water at all. Cried anytime we took him near it.

Mommy and Son

2008-08-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

Grandma's Big Boy......

2008-06-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

OUR RECENT VACATION

2008-06-22T14:42:00.001-07:00

We just returned from our vacation. This trip we took Aaron, Mark's son who is 17. This was his first trip out with us. In the first picture you have Aaron with the London Bridge at Lake Havasu, Arizona. The second picture is of Mark & Aaron at Lake Mojave in Nevada, as is the third picture. Then you have Aaron on the Colorado River at the Sand Bar and Aaron driving the boat out on Lake Mojave

OUR LIFE

2008-06-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

My bestest friend, Maria & I on the boat in the Colorado River
Our boat out on Lake Havasu in Arizona

Mark & Arnold in the boat Lake Havasu Arizona
Mark relaxing on the boat on Lake Havasu

Our other passion is our boat!! We enjoy our time away on the Colorado River, on Lake Havasu in Arizona & on Lake Mojave in Nevada.

SLEEP TIGHT LITTLE ANGEL

2008-06-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

XANDER CAIDEN OLIVIERI

XANDER COMES HOME

2008-06-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

Mom & Xander finally get to leave the hospital & head for home. His first time in his crib. March 4th, 2008

XANDER'S ARRIVAL INTO THE WORLD

2008-06-22T13:56:00.001-07:00

Our wait was finally over on Saturday, March 1st, 2008. Xander Caiden Olivieri finally came into the world and let me tell you, my world will never be the same. He is such a joy. I had been told that being a grandparent would change everything and it has. I enjoy each and every day that I get to spend with him and I just don't seem to be able to get enough.

WAITING FOR XANDER CAIDEN

2008-06-22T13:40:00.002-07:00

Anthony, Christina & Xander
Anthony & Christina
Christina & I
Waiting for Xander was one of the most exciting times for me. The shopping & then there was the shopping & more shopping. I guess I got alittle carried away, but it is my first grandchild and I have to spoil him. That's what grandmas do, right?

MY FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

2008-06-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

My Family is everything to me. There's my husband Mark, who is the greatest. Then there is my son Kyle, my daughter Christina, my step-son Aaron & our new grandson, Xander. This is my life & I love them all.