A Big Weekend - May 21st - Fr. John

We also celebrated Father John Herman, our St. John Vianney Pastor since 2002. Father John has been a constant in our lives since we started attending SJV school. He has been there for our parish, our school and specifically my family on many, many occasions. He will be leaving SJV to be the pastor of a Holy Cross parish in Monterey, Mexico. He will be sorely missed!

On Saturday night we attended the "Father John Fundraising Farewell" dinner to help raise money for his new parish.   We had a very good steak and baked potato dinner with dessert and enjoyed a slide show of Fr. John's time at SJV.  Fr. Drew came in to emcee the event and it was fun. 

After the dinner, we met Fr. John, Fr. Drew and Brian at Majerle's for more fun.  It was a good night spent with good friends.

Fr. Drew, Stacy, Melissa, Brian, Anthony, Maria, Denise, Fr. John and Angie

Being silly

A Big Weekend - May 21st - Celestina

This weekend was a big weekend because we were celebrating two very special people.  The first is my God-Daughter, Celestina.  This beautiful young lady is now a graduate of North High School.  She turns 18 in July, but I still see her as a little girl.  It's so hard for me to accept that she is growing up, she is almost officially an adult.  Where does the time go? 

Celestina and Maria - November 1998

Piano Lessons

The kids had their last piano class on Thursday, May 19th.  The class showed off the skills they have learned this past year.  All kids did well, but I'm very proud of my two kids.  Alexandra has improved so much this year.  I think she likes to play the piano, but she'll be starting a new instrument this summer.  She'll be learning to play the saxophone!  I know! Very cool! 

Joshua just started learning the piano in September and has learned so much he moved from the beginner class to the advanced class in four months.  He'll be continuing his lessons this summer. 

Tata turns 93!

For my Tata's 93rd birthday we spent about an hour driving around the west valley, so that he could tell us about the area where he grew up and worked.  We drove from Avondaleto Wadell to Surprise to El Mirage back to Avondale.  He talked about the the things that used to be in the various areas and many places where there was nothing was fields.  Looking at the area now, it's hard to believe how different it was for my Tata back then.  He may be 93, but he is still as sharp as can be, just wish his body was giving out on him.  Happy birthday, Tata!  I love you!

Mom & Tata

Alexandra, Briana and Tati

Patti and Tata

Pita and Tata

Easter (Spring) Break - Part 4

After our day at American Girl, it was time to unwind.  We ended up getting home a little late, so we didn't have time to go to the beach, but the kids did get to go swimming.  Our hotel had two pools, so they played outside and inside.  After swimming, Alexandra decided that she still had money to burn, I mean spend, so we headed to Downtown Disney to shop for Vinylmations and buy Joshua a new Lego Star Wars thingee.   

The kids were sad to come home, but it was time!

All in all it was another great time!  Although Anthony might say otherwise.  Don't listen to him.  The kids and I had a great time at the Happiest Place on Earth (the most expensive place, too)!



Easter (Spring) Break - Part 3

Our last day in southern California was spent in Los Angeles, to be specific, at American Girl Place at The Grove.  It was a LONG drive with not one but two girls (including Alexandra) getting sick on the way.  Terri drove Alexandra and I, along with Vicki and her girls, Ashley and Aliza.  Each of the girls had their American Girl.  We arrived just in time for a wonderful lunch that consisted of:  hot cinnamon rolls, fruit kabobs, veggies, pretzels with honey mustard, our main course and dessert.  EVERYTHING was yummy!  I had a chicken pesto sandwich with fries, while Alexandra had pizza.   Dessert was the best!  We sang happy birthday to Brianna and Ashley (both have April birthdays) and enjoyed chocolate mousse, a sugar cookie and cupcake.  After lunch we shopped, then it was time for our long drive back to the hotel.

Alexandra holding the pretty  menu

Alexandra with her pizza.

Alexandra and her American Girl (she even had her own plate/cup)

Enjoying dessert

Easter (Spring) Break - Part 2

Our second day at Disneyland Resort was just as busy.  This time we spent pretty much most of the day at Disneyland.  We chose two of the rides we didn't have a chance to ride on Monday: "It's a Small World" and "Thunder Mountain Railroad."

"It's a Small World" line

But the highlight of day 2, was Joshua "attending" Jedi Training Academy in Tomorrowland.  We watched one show and Joshua decided that he wanted to participate, the trick is that you need to be picked by the Jedi to train.  We talked to the guide and the secret to being picked is acting crazy (and sitting in the right location).  We waited 40 minutes for the next show and thank goodness (Yes, I said a prayer) he was picked!  He trained and then fought Darth Maul.  Funny thing is he'd never watching Star Wars, Episode 1 so he didn't know who he was, only that he was a bad guy.  After training and fighting, he was awarded a certificate and is now officially a Jedi padawan.

DARTH MAUL

just defeated darth maul

We spent the rest of the day riding rides, eating and spending time with our friends.  We took a break for dinner when we went to the Rainforest Cafe to celebrate Brianna's birthday.  This gave us a chance to meet up with the Shulskis and the Sandovals. 

4th grade goes to Disneyland... Hannah, Erica, Alexandra and Brianna

They finally stayed still for a picture... Joshua, Claire and Paul

After dinner we went back to Disneyland for more rides and fireworks.  To summarize, today we:

Visited Mikey Mouse...

Made wishes...

Posed in front of the castle and ...

Took our picture on the stagecoach ...

Easter (Spring) Break - Part 1

Since the kids attend a Catholic school, our spring break normally coincides with Easter, so we are having a late spring break this year.  Easter Sunday this year was on April 24th.  We decided to go to Disneyland (yes, I know) with some friends. We knew of some families going and were suprised to bump into other families at the parks.  If I would have know how many families from SJV were going to the Land, I would have tried to be a travel agent to get us a deal on hotel and DL tickets. Oh well, next time!

We left Sunday afternoon, after spending Easter morning with the family. After going home to change and pack, we were well on our way when Joshua decided to take a nap. Love this photo!

Joshua fell asleep almost as soon as the movie started.

Alexandra watching "Tron" while Joshua sleeps.

Once we checked into our hotel, we were ready for bed, well, 3 of us were. Joshua wanted to go swimming so I took him to the pools (indoor and outdoor) while Anthony and Alexandra searched for a Jack in the Box. (That's what he was craving) We finally went to bed so that we could get up bright and early to enjoy our first of two days at the Land.

We've been to Disneyland so many times, we don't need no stinkin' map!  Even the kids know their way around.  I know, my kids are spoiled.  But I'm so happy that they love Disneyland as much (maybe even more than) as I do. 



Mesquitas standing in the Main Street USA park.  Sleeping Beauty's castle is behind us.

We caught up with Terri, Chris and Brianna and pretty much spent the day with them.  We rode some rides at Disneyland, our first is always Pirates of the Carribean.  Then headed over to California Adventure so that we could get our tickets for the "World of Color" show.  Joshua, Briana and Alexandra spent some time playing in the Redwood Forest (OK - really it was Joshua that played), while the adults rested.  =)

Then we walked around some more and rode some rides.  We even bumped into a couple of characters, Goofy and Woody.

We ended up going back to the hotel for a (almost) 2 hour nap, had dinner with the Johnstons, then headed back to California Adventure for the "World of Color" show.  After the show, the Mesquitas ended up going back to Disneyland to ride Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear with the Browns.  We closed the park!  We didn't get to sleep that night until 1:00 AM!!  Needless to say we were tired the next day!

Easter Sunday

He is Risen, Alleluia! Alleluia!!  It was a joyous Easter Sunday spent with family and friends.  We went to the 7:45 mass, as usual, but it was special because we were able to sit in a pretty good place for mass.  One of the auction items we won this year, was the use of a reserved pew and parking space on Easter Sunday.  We were able to sit right behind the altar servers.  Our extra space was used by Helen and Berna, as they joined us for mass.

We saw many of our wonderful friends at mass, it was nice to be able to wish them a Happy Easter and ask the kids if EB had already visited them.  Yes, EB did make a stop at our house.  The kids loved their baskets, but were weary of the "jelly beans" that EB left behind.  (NOTE:  Watch "Hops" to find out where those jelly beans come from!)

After mass we went to my mom's, where my wonderful brother was making an awesome breakfast.  There was lots of food to choose from and after eating, we were stuffed!!  After letting the food digest, we hid eggs for the kids.  Nana did an awesome thing, she stuffed a $5 bill in 4 different eggs and a $10 bill in one GOLDEN egg.  The rule was that each of the grandkids was to get one of the special eggs.  Anthony hid the golden egg in a pretty hard spot and if it wasn't for my brother, I don't think anyone would have found it.  But, Alexandra was the one!!

All in all, it was another great Easter Sunday!  Alleluia! Alleluia!

Briana, Joshua and Alexandra coloring eggs.

Alexandra found the golden egg!

Joshua with his $5

Alexandra, Briana, Joshua, Celeste and Andres

Awwww... Briana and Alexandra

Alexandra and Joshua