Ruthie

I wanted to make sure we visited Ruthie's grave while we were in Northern CA.  I also wanted to get flowers from me (purple), from Courtney (yellow), and from my mom (lilies).  Allison wanted to hold the flowers and lay them on Ruthie's grave.  Cooper was so confused and asked many question's, I guess he forgot he had been there before.  He was behaving silly at the grave yard so Richard and I tried to explain to him where we were.  He than asked me if Heaven had a phone, so we could call Aunt Chach.  Words are not enough to explain how much I miss Ruthie.  You would think after two years I would have learned to live with out her, but everyday I struggle. 

Saint Patrick's Day

~I had to interrupt my CA travels with a Saint Patrick's Day post!~





When my Aunt Ruthie was alive it was her tradition to send my kids outfits for every holiday.  After she past away I didn't know what to do with myself when it came to the first holiday with out her  (Valentines Day) and I didn't have anything special for my kids to wear.  I decided right then that I would continue the tradition in her honor.  So while we were in California I found us all GREEN shirts.  Friday night I even went to get an out of the blue pedicure and went with a green theme.  It was such a beautiful day, we went to the park and I brought the kites and Allison bow and arrow.  Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Cousins!

Friday night my cousin Jessica hosted a dinner for us at her home.  My sister Jamie who know lives in San Ramon know drove to Rohnert park to join in.  My Uncle had knee replacement surgery the day before and wasn't able to come.  But my Aunt Karen and all their kids, spouse's, and there children came.  My mom is the youngest of all her siblings so my cousin's are at least 12 years plus older than me.  Some of my cousin's children are actually closer to my age.  It was taco night at the Garzoli household.  We started out with a few people and as the night went cousin's trickled in until everyone showed up.  It was actually nice to talk to people as they came, I felt like I was able to talk to all of my cousins for a decent amount of time.  I rarely saw Allison and Cooper, they were in the back yard playing with there cousins.  I was sad that I didn't get to see my cousin's Madison and Victoria, both girls are in high school and involved in many activities and were both out of town at school functions.  Over all it was a great night with delicious food and even better company.

On the road!

                                                                           Cooper Took this picture                                           

                                                                             Cooper took this picture

Last Tuesday started our long drive to California.  We had such a late start too!  I was getting the highlander detailed and that didn't go well, they did such a crap job!  I made them go over it again while my sweet friend drove me around town to pick up Allison from school and to take her to piano lesson's.  After picking up the highlander, Allison from piano, and Richard from the ford house (he took his work truck to get the alignment fixed) we finally loaded up the car and left town.  We drove all the way to Tuscan Arizona and checked in super late I believe it was 1am!  We slept tell 7:30am and hit the road again.  We did make more stops for lunch, potty breaks, gas, and dinner.  I jockingly told Richard that the kids were so good the first day that Wednesday was going to be awful, but I was wrong the kids were exceptional!  We drove ALL day and pulled into Rohnert Park at 10pm Wednesday.  It was so nice to see my Aunt Steffer, I gave her such a big hug I didn't want to let her go!!!  It is definitely bitter sweet visiting her.  My Aunt Ruthie's spirit lingers there, and every where I look I think of her.  Once when I saw Beckett crawling down the hall I had a sad moment.  If you knew my Aunt Ruthie you would know of her obsession with babies.  She would have had Beckett in her arms from the moment we got there until the moment we left.  Well that is if she could have managed to hold that twenty pound heavy boy!  Rohnert Park is my childhood home.  We moved around so much when I was little.  We actually didn't move to the Kansas house until I was 12 and my mom just recently sold it when they moved.  I know my way around every part of that house the kitchen, the garage, and the yard etc!  I have visited California consistently every year of my life since I was 6, expect for the year I got married and last year while I was pregnant with Beckett.  I can drive around the town with no problems, I could get on the freeway or back roads.  It was just so relaxing to be back and to soak in and enjoy everything from the beautiful mountain green views to the fabulous company of my Aunt Steffer.  Our days in Northern California were definitely packed, but I cant stress how much I enjoy ever second of our time there.

Busy busy busy!!!

Friday started our busy busy busy weekend!  Did I mention Richard is working this weekend.  Anyway, Allison friend Ella had her baptism Friday night.  Richard was running late to soccer practice so I had to load up the soccer gear and the kids to the field.  After soccer practice Allison and I got ready and left the boys behind to attend the baptism.  It was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. 

Saturday morning Allison had a soccer game.  I was able to feed the kids, take a shower, and dress everyone and out the door in record time!  My in laws made it to the soccer game, the were such a huge help!  It was a crazy soccer game.  Definitely one to remember, I wish Richard had been there!  We tied the game 1-1:( 

After the soccer game my in laws meet us over at big cheese for lunch.  It was a nice relaxing meal.  The kids had fun running around playing games.  And Beckett enjoyed talking to Grandma and Grandad.  He sure thinks his Grandad is funny!

Next we had two birthday parties at the same time.  Allison's friend Ella had her birthday party at the new ice cream shop Cherry Berry!  So I dropped Allison off at the party and the boys and I headed to our friend Samuel's first birthday!  My friend out did her self and threw such a neat themed train party for her son.  WE had a blast.

Sunday we went to church and rested most of the day.  Then after the kids were in bed Richard and I packed.  Well mainly I packed lol! 

Stitches

Wednesday I went in to the dentist to have ten stitches taken out.  The hygienist said to some people its painful and to others its not.  Well lets just say it didn't feel good!!  I cant stress the point of how thankful I am to have the stitches out and to have that trauma of my wisdom teeth behind me!  I had not idea what to expect.  I've only gained one pound back of the four I lost due to the food restrictions I was place on.  I am glad to be able to eat normal, especially since we are leaving in a few days to CA!  Some of my favorite restaurants are in CA!  The whole reason I needed my wisdom teeth out was because Ive decided to get braces.  When I was 7 years old I feel down six stair steps and I really messed my teeth up.  I have always been self conscious about my teeth and I am finally doing something about it.  March 25 is the big day!!  I will probably have braces for 18 months.  Anyway, I  thought I would document this little event on the blog..

Lost

I will never forget the day Richard brought home our cat Oreo.  I was 8 months pregnant and very upset he brought an animal home.  Allison was in love with that cat.  She smothered the poor thing, but he loved her.  Oreo was always her cat.  The years went on and Oreo eventually became an outdoor cat.  He even moved with us once to our house on Harvard in Midland and then he made the big trip with us to New Mexico.  But things were different here.  Some times two or more days would pass at a time and we wouldn't see Oreo.  But he would always come home.  Well its been two weeks and no sight of our cat.  Allison is really upset.  I hope nothing terrible happened to him, maybe he just found a new home..